3 Ridley Headstones 3 Metres South Of Church Of St Mungo

Three headstones located 3 metres south of the Church of St. Mungo in Simonburn, dating from the 18th and early 19th centuries, are made of sandstone and are listed as a group of special interest.

The first headstone, erected in 1755 for John Ridley, stands 1.0 metre tall and features a shaped top with two carved angel heads. It has a sunk panel displaying bold reliefs of an hourglass flanked by a skull and a serpent devouring its tail.

The second headstone, dating from 1795, commemorates Elizabeth Ridley, the wife of Thomas Ridley. This headstone is 1.75 metres tall and has an elaborate scrolled top with flanking paterae. It includes a raised enriched border and a pair of small carved angel heads, which are flanked by a serpent and the Book of Life.

The third headstone, from 1820, is dedicated to Elizabeth Ridley, the wife of William Ridley. It stands 2.0 metres tall and features an elaborate shaped top with a ball finial and flanking paterae. The headstone has a raised enriched border and a sunk panel that depicts a small female figure in Neo-classical dress holding a large book inscribed with a sentimental poem, topped by a relief of a small urn.